Aug. 15, 1910. Mrs. M. W., aged fifty years. Rheumatism, both ankles swollen. Nearly helpless from it for a year. Many O. S. doctors and much drugging without relief. (>) by cool, (<) by heat; (>) in rest; Extended from right to left. Bowels sluggish. Strong appetite. Guai. 10m.
Aug. 22. Ankles better than for a month. Knees lame. Thighs, cramp in outer side; shooting pains, inner side.
Sept. 5. Can tolerate warm bath. Sept. 19. Swelling and pain in R. foot and ankle. Oct. 3. General improvement. Rheumatism in ankles and feet. Guai. 50m. Nov. 14. After beginning the higher potency, slight agg. then relief. Rheumatism now worse again; feet and ankles swollen; hands stiff; knees lame. Guai. 50m.
Dec. 10. Steady improvement until recently. Left thigh, cramp again upward. Guai. 50m.
Jan. 9, 1911. Improved less, recently. Guai. cm. Has been free from rheumatism and in good health, ever since.
This patient presented few symptoms, but a strong characteristic: rheumatic pains (<) from warmth, (>) from cold.
Three remedies are characterized by this feature in rheumatism: Guaiacum, Ledum and Pulsatilla. When this symptom is reported in a patient of general Ledum type, Ledum will cure; when it is found that the patient is a Pulsatilla type in general, Pulsatilla is prescribed. In this instance, the patient was neither Ledum nor Pulsatilla, hence Guaiacum was selected, with beneficial, curative results.